Fishermen Prepare for Snapper Season Opening

AUSTRALIA - As the statewide Snapper fishing closure comes to an end next week, PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture has issued a reminder about the five Snapper spawning spatial closures that will remain in place in the northern parts of both gulfs until midday on Saturday 31 January 2015.

The Snapper spawning spatial closures - four in Spencer Gulf and one in Gulf St Vincent - will provide further protection to key spawning aggregations areas for Snapper during a critical reproductive period.

They will come into effect when the annual Snapper fishing statewide closure is lifted at midday on Monday 15 December 2014.

Director of PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture Operations, Peter Dietman, said Fisheries Officers were anticipating a busy start to the season following the annual closure.

"Snapper is a sought after species in South Australia and fishers across the state will be preparing to take to the water to land a prized catch," Mr Dietman said.

"To ensure a successful start to the season we urge fishers to familiarise themselves with the locations of the Snapper spawning spatial closures and the rules that apply within them."

"Fisheries Officers will continue to patrol the closures throughout summer to ensure a high level of compliance. Signage has been posted at popular boat ramps around the northern areas of both gulfs to provide fishers with an easy reference to the GPS locations of the spatial closures."